Volume : 115 Issue No. : 115 Month : February, 2010 "Three quarters of all disagreement and misunderstandings would disappear from the world, were we able to put ourselves in the shoes of our opponents and understand their views. Either we would come to an agreement with them or we would think charitably of them". TEMPLES BANGALORE JAIN TEMPLE ARTIFACTS TO BE AUCTIONED A Jain temple in Bangalore has decided to auction some of its artifacts to fund its renovation and expansion plans. This is what the management of the century-old Shri Adinath Jain Shwetambar temple in Chikpet will do on March 10. The auction, titled ‘Mystery of Chikpet’, will be conducted by city-based auction house Bid & Hammer at ITC Windsor. A preview of the collection will be held at the Bid & Hammer Preview Hall in Jayanagar from Feb 27 to March 5. The temple, one of the favorites of the Jain community in the city, has a fascinating history as its original Spartan-style construction was subsequently improved upon by artisans from different parts of the country. The temple is being expanded to accommodate its growing number of devotees. It is in this backdrop that it was decided to dismantle the temple and auction the artifacts to construct a new temple. This is perhaps the first time in the country that the auction of temple architecture is taking place. The collection includes 139 architectural and related objects, Pahari School paintings of Lord Mahaveera, the divine guardians of Chikpet, colonial dwarapals, silver doors, vintage Art Nouveau Majolica Ceramic tiles, architectural pillars and other masterpieces. The auction also encompasses related items such as original antiquarian prints, traditional paintings and works of art to complement the star architectural lots. One of the chief attractions are a set of six stained teakwood colonial pillars with four apasaras carved at the top. The divine guardians or Chikpet apasaras are a creative amalgamation of eastern and western styles with distinct references to Roman, Victorian and Christian influences. These pillars are expected to fetch Rs 35 lakh to Rs 42 lakh. Maher Dadha, chairman and managing director, Bid & Hammer, said the expansion plans did not allow the temple to retain these artefacts. “Most of the items were added when renovations began about 80 years ago. However, the current expansion plans are on a larger scale, so these items will fall short in terms of size.” The proceeds of the auction will be used for rebuilding the temple. The bidding price will begin at Rs. 7,500 and can go up to Rs. 42 lakh. SINGAPORE JAIN RELIGIOUS SOCIETY: NEW PREMISES The Singapore Jain Religious Society opened up its new premises with Senior Minister, Goh Chok Tong, as the Guest-of-Honour on Feb 13, 2010. In his speech, SM GOh emphasized on religious and racial harmony. He cited an Italian who chose to become a Singaporean due to our peaceful tolerance of each other's differences. He also stressed the need to practice and promote one's own religion with responsibility and not trivialise other's beliefs. Singapore Constitution guarantees the freedom of religion. Singaporeans are free to profess any faith, and to practise and promote their religions. However, this must be done responsibly. This is a key principle underpinning the peace and social cohesion in Singapore. Courtesy: Mr. Yashwant Malaiya, E-mail: [email protected] LIST OF PAST AND FUTURE TIRTHANKARS For those who are interested to know about Jain Tirthankars in the previous cycle and those going to be in the next cycle,here is a list of the Tirthankaras from the previous cycle and also of the future cycle. This list has been sent by Mr. Shreyans Sukhani" [email protected], who has taken it from Jain Tattvavidya by Muni Pranamasagaraji which is translation of Acarya Maghanandi's Shaastrasaarsamucchaya. Tirthankars from the Previous Cycle: 1. Shreenirvan 2. Sagar,3. Mahasadhu 4. Vimalprabh 5. Shudhaabhdev 6. Shreedhar 8. Sidhaabhdev 9. Amalprabh 10. Udhaardev 11. Agnidev 12. Saiyam 13. Shiv 14. Pushpanjali 15. Utsaah 16. Parmeshvar 17. Gyaaneshvar (jnaneshvar) 18. Vimaleshvar 19. Yashodhar 20. Krishnamati 21. Gyanmati (jnanmati) 22. Shudhmati 23. Shribhadra 24. Anantvirya Tirthankaras of the Future: 1. Shreemahapadma 2. Surdev 3. Supashrva 4. Svayamprabh 5. Sarvatamabhut 6. Devputra 7. Kulputra 8. Udank 9. Praushthil 10. Jaykirti 11. Munisuvrat 12. Ar 13. Nishpaap 14. Nishkashaya 15. Vipul 16. Nimal 17. Chitragupt 18. Samadhigupt 19. Svayambhu 20. Anivartak 21. Jay 22. Vimal 23. Devpal 24. Anantvirya TRUST OF OLDEST MUMBAI JAIN TEMPLE FINED RS. 10 LAKHS An inspection by the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee has found the city’s oldest Jain temple, Kot Shantinathji Derasar, to have lost its historical importance and character because of careless repair work carried out by the caretakers. The temple, which is being rebuilt entirely in white Makrana marble, stands in the middle of the congested Bora Bazaar area near Fort and is a listed Grade II-B heritage structure. The MHCC has slapped a penalty of Rs. 10 lakh on the trust for carrying out the work that has “led to loss of temple architecture, unique to the fabulously rich history of Mumbai”. “We had given them permission for repair and reconstruction as per the Jain religious code. But when an inspection was carried out, it was found that a gross violation of norms had taken place. Since the trust did not do its work faithfully and dutifully, the committee sought it fit to penalise them,” said committee chairman Dinesh Afzulpurkar. In their original plan, the trust had suggested replacing the colourful facade and wooden interiors with white marble, besides constructing a shikhar or tower. Though all that was fine, the heavy penalty was levied on two counts: for failing to maintain the historic character of the ghar-derasar in the quest of redeveloping the temple even more grander than the existing structure; the caretakers, over the years, failed to maintain the front decorative wall, which now stands in a state of utter decay. The ghar-derasar style gained prominence at a time when the country was constantly facing threats from marauding intruders of the 17th and 18th centuries. The grand ghar-derasars were camouflaged inside structures that looked like ordinary homes. “Many of these derasars were built in Kalpa Sutra-style murals and intricate wooden structures, More then the architectural damage, we have penalised them to set an example on others,” said a member. A set of new rules recently approved by the state government say that upkeep of a structure weighs heavily on the owner and the ones who fail to conserve heritage structures would face heavy penalties. Chief trustee Premchand Jain said that all the trust wanted to do was repair the facade in a way similar to temples in Palitana and Pawapuri. “We have no idea where we went wrong with our work. The trust is in no financial position to pay this penalty and will apply to municipal commissioner for either a pardon or a cut in the amount,” he said. The Jain religious code declares that derasars or temples when brought down be redeveloped grander than the earlier structure. “But in that process, they have destroyed what was the sole surviving example of the ghar-derasar style of architecture in Mumbai,” said a committee member. SAINTS HRADAYRATNA MAHARAJ DELIVERS PRAVACHAN AT CENTRAL JAIL VADODARA Muni Shri Hradayratn Maharaj (Bhuvanbhansuri Samuday) delivered highly inspiring pravachans at central Jail in Vadodara, Gujarat. The program was organised by Jain Yuvak Maha Sangh Vadodara Chapter (JYMS-VADODARA). Pravachans were listened by over 1200 prisoners and all the members of the jail staff in pin drop silence. Maharajji touched the hearts and the effect was visible by seeing may prisoners crying for a long time. At the end of Pravachan 80% prisoners decided not to eat meat and not to drink. The jail authorities have offered open invitation to Maharajsaheb to visit again and again and deliver his thoughts. From: Jatin Shah, E-mail: [email protected] ACHARYA SHRI ABHINANDAN SAGAR JI MAHARAJ ISSUES WARNING "ARE YOU EATING NON-VEGETARIAN ITEMS?" RS. 30 LAKH RAISED AT DIKSHA ANNIVERSARY OF NAYPADMASAGARJI MAHARAJ Mumbai: At a function to celebrate 27th diksha anniversary of Ganivarya Naypadmasagarji Maharaj , the Jain community raised Rs. 30 lakh for the welfare of animals. It also arranged for an ambulance and five dialysis machines, which will be sent to various parts of the state. The welfare sum will go to Palitana, a city in Gujarat, where the animals are kept. The Jain sadhu, Ganivarya Naypadmasagarji Maharaj, is the founder of the Jain International Trade Organisation (Jito) that has been instrumental in harmonising trade relations between the four sects of the Jain community. It’s success can be gauged by the fact that it facilitated a business of Rs3,500 crore among Jains in a single day. Girish Shah, one of Jito’s members, said, “Raising money for a noble cause is our way of paying obeisance to our Maharaj.” Nitin Shah, another member, said, “Through Jito, we can ensure that the money stays within the community and can be utilised for causes that need attention. This is one of the ways to help the community.” While speaking at the function, Naypadmasagar justified his call to support Mangal Prabhat Lodha in the assembly elections, and apologised if he had “hurt” someone. “The idea was to ensure that someone who is always available for the community and works sincerely wins. That is why Jains were requested not to contest against him,” he said. CONFERENCES & EVENTS KELLOGG JAIN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE, 2ND TO 4TH APRIL, 10 Over the past four years JAINA’s Long Range Planning Committee together with Jain leaders has developed a vision for the future of Jainism in North America.